Welcome

This is the new home of Balkan Military History. We have been going for 21 years and it was time for a major rebuild. The old site is still there as an archive while we construct this new resource. You can also follow us on Twitter 'Balkan History' @Balkan_Dave

News

World's oldest intact shipwreck found in the Black SeaArchaeologists have found the shipwreck at the bottom of the Black Sea where it appears to have lain undisturbed for more than 2,400 years. The 23-metre (75ft) vessel, thought to be ancient Greek, was discovered with its mast, rudders and rowing benches all present and correct just over a mile below the surface.

The Raven KingWe review the story of the Hungarian King, Matthias Corvinus and the fate of his lost library by Marcus Tanner. History and books, what's not to like!

The Other 1918 CampaignWith all the focus on the Battle of Amiens and the hundred days to the armistice, we look at how campaigns in Balkans played an important part in ending WW1. In particular the Battle of Dobro Pole in September 1918.

Ali Pasha - Lion of IoanninaThis new study of the fascinating 'Napoleon of the Balkans' is well written and beautifully illustrated.

ANZAC memorials of Rayner HoffManx-born sculptor Rayner Hoff is being celebrated with the ﻿launch﻿ of a new stamp collection from the Isle of Man Post Office. The collection of six stamps features the ANZAC war memorials in Sydney and Adelaide, Australia, where the local artist’s work is featured. (​https://www.iompost.com/our-news/isle-of-man-stamps/manx-aviation-and-military-museum-to-host-of-launch-of-anzac-commemorative-stamps-/)

Laskarina Bouboulina - Greek Rebel AdmiralCiaran Conliffe tells the story of the female leader of the first naval force to declare for an independent Greece.

Paul of Yugoslavia - Britain's Maligned FriendOur review of a sympathetic biography of Prince Paul Karageorgevic, who was the Regent of Yugoslavia for a fateful seven years before the coup d'etat of March 1941 and the subsequent Axis invasion.

Peter the Great HumbledOur review of Nicholas Dorrell's study of the Russo-Turkish War of 1811. A concise narrative of this little known conflict, well illustrated including colour plates. ​The Tsar had a lucky escape. In other circumstances Russian history could have been very different.

The Untoward EventC.M Woodhouse's 'The Battle of Navarino' provides a comprehensive account of the almost accidental naval action that largely secured the independence of Greece from the Ottoman Empire.

The PeloponneseThe Editor's 2018 Balkan tour was The Peloponnese. Based in Nafplio, he covers Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Sparta and Mystras. And a trip to Athens and the War Museum on the way back.

The Splintered EmpiresOur review of Prit Buttar's 'The Splintered Empires'. This is a history of the Eastern Front between 1917 and 1921. This is a really complex story, very well told, with plenty of detail for the military historian. There are also decent maps, something often missing in other studies.

Siege of Constantinople 718This year is the 13th centenary of the lifting of the Arab siege of Constantinople in 718. Arguably the high tide of the Arab conquest and an important turning point in the history of the Balkans and Europe.

Flashpoint TriesteOur review of 'Flashpoint Trieste' by Christian Jennings is the story of a contested city at the end of World War Two that can reasonably be described as the first battle of the Cold War.

Battle of the Medak PocketA History Network podcast covers a little known skirmish between Canadian peacekeepers and Croatian forces in 1993.

Historic MapsA set of historic maps of the Hungarian monarchy, and the Western Balkans, became the most significant addition to the Old Art Collection in the Slovak National Gallery (SNG) last year. They can be viewed online here.

Roxelana: Empress of the EastThe concubine and then wife of Suleiman the Magnificent is the subject of a new book, an Ottoman History podcast, and of course there is the TV series Magnificent Century.

Aleksinac 1876Our first feature article of 2018 covers the Battle of Aleksinac 1876. The decisive battle of the Serbo-Turkish War of 1876. A narrative of the battle with photos of the battlefield today.​The Editor's tabletop refight of the battle is covered in this blog post.

ScanderbegA new history by A.K.Brackob of the Albanian medieval leader. For some 25 years he led the resistance to Ottoman invasions, with limited assistance from outside the Balkans.

The Serbian Army of the Great WarOur review of Dusan Babac's book on the Serbian army 1914-18. Profusively illustrated study of the army, with a good overview of the main campaigns. The definitive book on the subject.

Serbia tourThe Editor's 2017 Balkan tour was to Serbia. Starting in Belgrade with its much improved military museum and the Kalemegdan fortress. ​The focus this year was on southern Serbia, including the fortified Manasija monastery, Aleksinac, Nis and the magnificent castle at Maglic (opposite).

Wallachian and Moldovan troops of the Napoleonic warsA guest post by Andrew Prockter outlines the armed forces of the Wallachian and Moldovan principalities during the Napoleonic wars.

Rival Power: Russia in Southeast EuropeThe editor's review of Dimitar Bechev's authoritative study of Russia's influence in the Balkans today. He sets the historical context and discusses how each of the region's states interact with Russia. He then shows how Russia uses a military, economic and cultural levers to interrupt and disrupt the West's influence. However, he dismisses to wider myths and argues that this is not a return to the Cold War.

Valentine Baker's Heroic Stand at Tashkessen 1877This is the story of Valentine Baker who commanded 3000 Ottoman troops in a classic rearguard action against 25,000 Russians during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877. The editor's review gives this one highly recommended. Well written and researched - just an amazing story.​

Transnistrian War 1992Our feature article discusses the Transnistrian War of 1992. The breakaway republic's conflict in Moldova and the Russian involvement.

Halmyris ExcavationA report of the excavation of a Roman fort called Halmyris in modern-day Romania. Halmyris was the easternmost fort on the Danube frontier of the Roman Empire, and the first port of call for anyone sailing up the Danube river from the Black Sea.

Battle of Anchialos 917This is the centenary of the decisive Bulgarian defeat of the Byzantine Empire by Tsar Symeon. We look at the battle and its consequences.

The Zadruga in the Military BorderThis feature article looks at the Zadruga households of the grenzer in the military border.

Battle of Peterwardein – 5 August 1716

The 300th anniversary of Prince Eugene's victory over the Ottomans outside the well preserved Danube fortress of Peterwardein, in modern Serbia. We did a feature on these campaigns and the Glasgow wargames club did a series of display games in 2006. Those figures got dusted down for a test game of the new Sharp Practice 2 rules recently.​​The locals in nearby Novi Sad haven't forgotten the battle with an exhibition at the City Museum covered on Serbian TV (Starts at 3:12) and here. Some pictures here and coverage of the commemoration ceremony. (Thanks to Nenad Seguljev for the links)

Salonica 1916 - Out of the BirdcageThis feature article is on another Balkan anniversary. The centenary of the allied advance out of Salonika in 1916 and the consequential battles on the Vardar, Doiran and the Struma River valley. This also featured in the Editor's Balkan tour in 2016.

Greek MacedoniaThe Editor's 2016 Balkan tour was to Greek Macedonia. This guide covers the sights of interest including ancient Macedon and the range of 20th Century conflicts. The focus was on WW1, with the centenary of the 1916 Salonica Campaign offensive.

Serbian stamps honour Scots WW1 heroinesScottish women who volunteered in Serbia during World War One are being commemorated in a series of stamps. The British Embassy has teamed up with Serbia Post to celebrate the efforts of the Scottish heroines.